Knowledge infrastructures for sustainable energy transitions: marine renewable energy in Scotland

Abstract

Energy research can often take a top-down perspective, leading to a focus on policy mechanisms. Yet these mechanisms are often unavailable to those working towards renewable energy transitions. This research uses the concept of knowledge infrastructures to explore the diverse ways that individuals interact with and rely upon them. Using the case of marine energy development in Scotland, this chapter uses a grounded-theoretical approach to highlight three knowledge infrastructures and the ways that they are supporting researchers in the marine energy sector. These include: 1) networked and nested testing and demonstration centres, 2) standards for instrumentation and testing, and 3) university-industry collaboratives. The chapter argues that understanding knowledge infrastructures is an important aspect of understanding the underlying support mechanisms that facilitate or hinder innovation to enable sustainability transitions and energy research in contexts well beyond marine energy in Scotland.